John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made by the IDA to attract inward investment with a view to utilising advanced and vacant factories and facilities in west Limerick under the remit of Shannon Development; and if he will give an inventory of same in west Limerick. [9331/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland, including its regions and areas. Through its overseas offices and project divisions, IDA Ireland actively promotes property solutions provided in the mid-western region, which includes west Limerick, by its sister agency Shannon Development.

A central goal for IDA Ireland is the achievement of balanced regional development. The national spatial strategy provides a framework for the achievement of this goal through the prioritisation of development and investment in the linked gateway of Limerick-Shannon and hub locations of Ennis and Tralee to allow Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, needs to be met.

IDA Ireland is committed to the development of Limerick City and County and is actively promoting all available property solutions in both areas for new foreign investment. In 2004, there were 19 first time site visits to Limerick City and County while to date in 2005 there have been four first time visits. As will be seen from the attached inventory of Shannon Development-owned land and property in west Limerick, less than 5% is unoccupied. An inventory of Shannon Development-owned land and buildings in west Limerick as on 28 February 2005 is set outas follows: